Q. I often see cars with the wipers up during a sleet/snow storm. Is there a reason for this? If it is to help with snow removal, does it damage the springs by being left in the air?

A. When I first saw this I thought it was some sort of secret club I wasn’t invited to join. But the real reason is during a pending snow storm putting the wipers in this position keeps the snow from building up on the blades and freezing to the windshield.

The other issue is if you forget to shut your wipers off, you don’t have to worry about the wipers trying to move heavy snow and potentially damaging the wiper system. I don’t see this causing any extra wear and tear to the wiper arms, it just looks weird. If you are going to try this, be careful –– not every wiper arm is designed to move in this way.

Heater fan won’t work

Q. The heat and air conditioner fan for my 1999 El Dorado won’t come on, even after I changed the blower motor. Any ideas?

A. This is a fairly complicated system that requires a scan tool to properly diagnose the problem; however, there are a few items you can check. Start with the fuses, if the fuses look okay, move to the wiring. You may find a loose or worn wire or possibly a faulty switch.

If all the basics appear to be in good condition, then the heater/air conditioning programmer may be at fault.

Size of gas tank limited

Q. Are there federal or state restrictions on the size of a vehicle’s gas tank? I know someone who is having a 160-gallon secondary tank built on the bed of their pickup truck. I wouldn’t think this would be allowed by law.

A. I spoke with a representative from AreoTanks ( www.aerotanks.com) in California. They told me that any fuel tank over 109 gallons requires the use of a hazardous materials permit.

Additionally, for any gasoline-powered vehicle newer than 1998, an auxiliary tank can only be used for refueling the standard tank (most likely using a 12-volt pump and fuel hose) due to federal emissions regulations.

If the vehicle is a diesel, then an auxiliary tank can be directly connected to the fuel system, but still can’t be more than 109 gallons.

Do fuel savers work?

Q. John, I would like your opinion on a gas saving device called the Fuelmaster ( www.wepi.us). A neighbor gave me one and I was wondering if it’s worth the effort of installation. It is a magnet that is installed over the fuel line. It looks crazy to me!

A. I tried a similar product in the past and found no gas mileage benefit. In fact I have never seen any fuel saver product that does anything to increase fuel economy. If it looks too good to be true, it most likely is. . . .

Readers, if you have tried any of these products and you have found them to work, e-mail me directly. My e-mail is jpaul@aaasne.com.

Good quality in U.S. cars

Q. I am in a bind. Recently, my 1998 Jeep Cherokee saw its last days. I am torn as to my next step. Do I consider another Jeep with the current state of the automotive industry, or do I look into foreign manufacturers? I am strapped for cash at the same time, but need to consider a 4WD vehicle. Any advice for a new car? Thanks for the help!

A. Certainly it is anyone’s guess what could happen with Chrysler, Ford or General Motors, although it is my guess these companies will continue in one form or another. In fact, I believe the quality of these domestic vehicles has never been better.

If you are not willing to take the chance on one of the domestic brands, there are certainly other options. For a truck-based SUV, the Toyota 4Runner is a solid bet, as is the Nissan Xterra.

You may want to consider a Hyundai or Kia. These cars have a great warranty, prove to be solid performers in the winter, and quality has certainly improved over the years.

projocars@projo.com